Tests.
How do you react to tests?
Excitement or fear?
I suppose it depends on what type of test it is.
Some personalities thrive on the challenge of being tested.
Other personalities cave under the pressure.
But what about when we are tested by God?
Can We Trust a God Who Tests? | Genesis 22:1-19
The last time I talked about this scripture passage, I was considering how Abraham’s actions affected Isaac.
Today, my focus is fully on Abraham’s “here I am” responses to God, Isaac, and the angel of the Lord.
After these things, God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” (Ge 22:1)
Genesis 21 tells us three stories.
- the long-awaited birth of Isaac (Ge 21:1-7)
- the sending away of Hagar and Ishmael (Ge 21:8-20)
- the treaty between Abraham and the Philistines at Beersheba (Ge 21:22-34)
Things were going well for Abraham.
God’s promise of a child born by his wife Sarah had come true.
The tension in the family between Sarah and Hagar concerning Ishmael and Isaac was resolved.
Plus, Abraham was at peace with the neighbors.
But then we are told God tested Abraham.
Initially, Abraham was unaware of the test about to unfold.
Thus, trusting God fully, Abraham immediately responded with “Here I am,” when God called his name.
And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” (Ge 22:7)
At this point in the narrative, Abraham and Isaac had traveled with some servants to offer a sacrifice to God at God’s instruction.
Abraham, however, did not reveal everything to Isaac God had told him.
Review the instructions God gave Abraham.
God said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (Ge 22:2)
Abraham had to be shocked at this instruction, to put it mildly.
Yet, scripture says nothing about Abraham pleading for a change in instructions from God, unlike when he pleaded for Sodom and Gomorrah. (Ge 18:16-33)
Instead, we are told Abraham got up early the next morning and obeyed God’s instructions. (Ge 22:3-6)
For three days, no one dared ask why there was no animal brought with them for the sacrifice.
Only once Isaac was alone with Abraham did he venture to inquire.
Even without hearing the tone and timbre of Abraham’s voice, his response of “Here I am, my son,” conveys the tenderness of Abraham’s heart in this moment.
In further response to Isaac’s inquiry about the lack of an animal for the sacrifice, Abraham simply states that God will provide the lamb. (Ge 22:8)
Once they arrived at the location specified by God, Abraham prepared an altar for the sacrifice and bound Isaac. (Ge 22:9)
Then Abraham picked up a knife to slay Isaac, his only son. (Ge 22:10)
But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” (Ge 22:11)
Saying Abraham’s name twice reveals how urgently the angel of the LORD desired to get Abraham’s attention.
Abraham’s reply is once again, “Here I am,” to the LORD.
In response to Abraham’s humble servanthood, the LORD then stops Abraham from slaying Isaac, saying,
“Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” (Ge 22:12)
Next Abraham sees a ram caught in a thicket nearby that he uses for the sacrifice instead of Isaac. (Ge 22:13)
And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” (Ge 22:15–18)
Abraham passed God’s test.
How?
By responding to the Lord’s voice with unwavering obedience.
Can We Trust a God Who Tests? | Personal Application
You may wonder why there is a picture of a person walking away from a dog for this post.
The person walking away is testing the dog’s obedience.
The dog was asked to sit and stay while its trainer walked away from him (or her).
Sometimes, when God gives us instructions we find baffling, it feels like He has turned his back on us.
But the reality in these times is that God is training us to be faithfully obedient.
King David encourages us with these words:
How did Abraham experience Psalm 37:3-6 during God’s test?
What is God asking you to do that makes little sense?
Are you willing to respond to God with Abraham’s “here I am” level of obedience? Why or why not?
What do you find most helpful when facing a hard test from God?
- Prayer
- Counseling
- Fasting
- Bible Study
- Praise
- Other
Heavenly Father, enable us to respond with Abraham’s “here I am” level of trusting obedience in our day-to-day lives. Help us understand that practicing a “here I am” level of trusting obedience in our day-to-day life is how you prepare us for Your provision. Amen.
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn